Apparatus for treatng vehicle tops



Oct, 20, 1931. B. K. GILLESPIE APPARATUS FOR TREATING VEHICL E TOPSFiled Dec. 27. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet .1

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Get. 20, 1931. B. K GILLESPIE APPARATUS FOR TREATING VEHICLE TOPS 2Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 27, 1927 Patented Oct. 20, 1931 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE BEE K. GILLESIPIE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TOGILLESPIE AUTO LAUNDRY SYSTEM, INCL, OF CHIOA GOfILLINOIS, CORPORATIONOF DELAWARE APPARATUS FOR TBEATNQ VEHICLE TOPS Application filedDecember 2 7, 1927. Serial No. 242,754.

My invention relates to apparatus for treating vehicle tops, and has orone of its objects the provision-of simple, inexpensive and highlyefiicient -apparatus of this character which may be readily used ingarages and in connection with automobile laundry systems, and similarplaces, for dusting,

washing and/or polishing the tops of all kinds and sizes of motorvehicles.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of this character whichembodies brush means adapted to engage both the side and top walls ofthe vehicle and which may be adjusted vertically asa whole toaccommodate vehicles of varying heights.

A further object is to provide side brush devices which are adjustableto accommodate vehicles of varying widths.

Still another object is to provide means for shifting the brushstructure laterally so. as to properly align the same with the vehicletop.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this descriptionprogresses and by reference to the drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of apparatus embodying my invention andshowing the same in operative relation to the vehicle top;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the portion of an apparatus embodyinganother form of horizontal brush structure.

With reference to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, thevehicle 10 is carried by a platform 11 which is located bencath theapparatus I employ for treating the top thereof. The vehicle top maytake various forms, dependent upon the type of vehicle and the changingcustoms of the manufacturer, but I refer to the same herein generally asthe roof or customary top covering portion of the vehicle body includingthe roof top and side walls illustrated (by way of example) at 10 and10", respectively (Fig. 1). However, it will be appreciated from thefollowing description that my invention may have utility in treatingboth the roof and the adjacent side wall portions of the vehicle body.The platform 11 is,

preferably, a movable one such as ma be used for bodily conveying the veicle through a cleaning compartment, or the like, of a laundry system;but it may well be a stationary platform located in a garage, orelsewhere, and upon which the vehicle is driven.

My invention is adapted equally well to dusting, washing and/orpolishing the vehicle top or roof over its entire surface. One

.form of apparatus which I may employ includes a rigid and preferably,but not necessarily, rectangularly-shaped frame 12 having strongchanneled-side pieces 12. This frame is-supported by a hollow shaft 13rigidly connected to the side pieces 12? and slidably and swingablymounted upon a fixed shaft 14 carried by side supports 15. These sidesupports may be rigid pieces extending downwardly from an upper wall, ormay be a side wall, or any other convenient supporting arrangement maybe used.

To effectively treat all exterior top surfaces, I provide a horizontalrotary brush device-16 which engages the upper wall 10 of the top, andinwardly tilted and opposed rotary brush devices 17 which engages theside walls or quarter sections 10 of the top. The brush devlce 16 ispreferably comprised of a plurality of ordinary cylindrical brushes 16non-rotatably fixed side by side upon a shaft 18 journaled in bearings18 on the side frame pieces 12*. The brush devices 17 also are composedof a plurality of cylindrical brushes 17 non-rotatably mounted uponshafts 19 and 20. The lower ends of these shafts are journaled inbearings 21 swingably carried (for vertical swingin movement of thebrush devices 17 by brackets 22 mounted on frame pieces 22 carried at aprojecting angle by the frame side pieces 12* (Fig. 2) forwardly of thehorizontal brush 16. The other. ends of such shafts are journaled inbearings 23 and 23 which are adjustable up and down in an arcuste pathso as to swing these brush devices 1... a vert path to compensate forvehicle tops of di 01'- ent widths. This adjustable supp rt iac-,

side arms 25 carried by the side frame pieces 12' as at 26 (Fig. 2 and acentral V-shaiped part carried by sue side arms and mclu 1ng reversiblydirectedand arcuate side sections 24 and 24". Each of these sections isprovided with a guide slot 27 adapted to slidably receive the lugs orextensions 28 of the adjustable bearings 23 and 23*. The frame 24 iscarried at such an angle to the main frame 12 that the guide sections 24and 24 are direct-- ly above the brush devices 17 so that the latter mayswing up and down in a vertical line.

The adjustable brush devices 17 are balanced and partially supported bya Wei htblock 29 suspended at the end of a cor 30 which passes overpulleys 31 and 32 and has its other end attached to a ring 33 on thebearing 23. A similar cord 34 is attached to a ring 35 carried by theother bearing 23 and passes over pulleys 36 and 32 and is secured to thecord 30 by clamp 37 (Fig. 1) whereby the balancing effect of the weight29 will be equally effective upon both brush devices 1?. Likewise, amovement of the cord 30 will s1- multaneously cause the same movement ofboth such brush devices. The pulleys 31, 32 and 36 are mounted upon thecross piece 38 of a frame 38 which is carried by the main frame in sucha manner that it is substantially in vertical alignment with the brushdevices in operating position as indicated in Fig. 2.

These brush devices are, preferably, rotated by an electric motor 39mounted on frame cross pieces 12". The motor shaft 40 extends across theframe 12 and is journaled in bearings 41 thereon. Rotary motion istransmitted to the brushes as follows: the projecting ends of the motorshaft are provided with pulleys 42. The projecting ends of horizontalbrush shaft 18 also carry pulleys 43, and each of the tilted brushshafts 19 and 20 carry a pulley 44. At each side of the frame 12, adrive belt 45 is carried by the pulleys 42, 43 and 44 in such a mannerthat, upon rotation of the motor shaft 40, the brush shafts and brusheswill also rotate. To accomplish this, in the particular form shown inthe drawings, the belt 45 is wrapped around the horizontal brush shaftpulleys 43, and guide pulleys 46, 47, and 48 are mounted upon the mainframe by brackets 49 and 50 which function in a well known manner.

, The drive belt 45 is of sufficient length to provide enough slack totake care of the entire range of adjustment of the tilted brushes, andto properly tension such belt in all brush positions, I may employ crankarms 51 pivoted to the side frame pieces 12 as at 52 and carrying at oneend an idle pulley 53. The

other end of the crank arm is attached to a spring 54 which is alsoattached to the frame piece 12* so that the pulley 53 is yieldablypressed outwardly against the adjacent belt surface to take up anyslack.

In operation, the vehicle is positioned on the platform and the frame 12is swung by means of either or both of the handles 55 to a positionwherein the brushes rest on the top and partially support the frame;These handles may take any desired form for 1 trally beneath the frame12, the latter may be slid laterall over the shaft 14 to the properposition. I ith the structure so adjusted, the rotating brushes will actupon the entire top surface including its side walls. The brushes may besuitable for dusting, or washing or polishing. In case of washing thetop, the washing liquid may be applied by hand or by suitably arrangedspray devices or in any other desired manner. This structure is verysimple in construction and operation and is highly efficient as will bereadily recognized.

In the preferred form, the horizontal brush 16 is so constructed thatthe brushing surface is substantially horizontal and does not exactlyfit the arch or curvature of the top, this condition being adequatelytaken care of by the side tilted brushes. However, if desired, the formof this horizontal brush may be varied so that the brushing surface willtake the form of the automobile top. Such a form is shown in Fig. 3. Inthat figure the frame construction, as well as the drive construction,is the same as that in the form invention,'it will be understood thatvarious other changes in details and arrangements of parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as definedby the claims which follow:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a support, roof cleaningmeans swingably carried by said support above the path of travel of thevehicle, said means including a roof treating element adapted to engagethe roof horizontally, and other roof treating elements havingindependent swinging supports on said first support and adapted toengage the roof at the edges thereof.

2. In apparatus for treating the upper and side walls of the top of avehicle, a supporting member, and top brushing-means carried by saidsupporting member for bodily swinging movements in the path of the mentsupon the respective top surfaces.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a carrler member, a su portfor said carrier, means connecting sai carrler to said sup- .port foradjustment of said carrier in vertical direction relative to saidsupport and to the top of the vehicle, vehicle top treatlng meansmounted on said carrier including a plurality of brushing element-sarranged in angular relation to each other and mounted for adjustingmovements'on said carrier, and ower means supported by said carrier forsimultaneously imparting brushing motion to said treatingmeans asa'whole.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a carrier member, a supportfor said carrier, means connect-ing said carrier to said support foradjustment of said carrier in vertical and opposed horizontal directionsrelative to said support and to the top of the vehicle, vehicle toptreating means mounted on said carrier including a pluralityrof brushingelement-s arranged in angular relation to each other and mounted foradjusting movements on said carrier, and power means supported by saidcarrier for simultaneously imparting brushing motion to said .treatingmeans as a whole.

1 5. In apparatus for treating the upper and side walls of the topportion of vehicles, a carrier member, a support for said carrier memberdisposed above the hicle, a swing connection devlce between said memberand support permitting adjustment of said'member down upon and upwardaway from the vehicle top portion, and means carried by said member fortreating the vehicle top portion including a horizontally-disposedtreating element adapted to engage the upper wall of said top portion,an independently adjustable element disposed at an angle to saidtreating element and supported to adjustably engage the side wall ofsaid top portion, and means for imparting movement to all said elements.

6. In apparatus for treating the roof of a vehicle body, means fortreating the upper wall of said roof, means for treating the side wallsof said roof, means for adjusting both said roof treating meansvertically to ac-, commodate vehicles of different heights, and meansfor adjusting the distance between said side wall treating means toaccommodate roofs of different widths.

7. In apparatus for simultaneously treating the upper and side walls ofthe top portion of a vehicle body, a frame mounted for path of the ve-"8. In apparatus for treating vehicle tops having upper and side walls,,a frame disposed above the support for the vehicle and adapted toproject into the path of the vehicle, a su port' for said frame, apivotal connectlon etween said frame and support, ahorizontally-disposed element carried by said frame for treating theupper wall of the top, and inclined element carried by said frame fortreating the side wall of the'top, and means carried by said frame forimparting movement simultaneously to all said elements upon said topsurfaces.

9. In apparatus for treating vehicle tops having upper and side walls, aframe, a support for said frame, a swing and slide connection betweensaid frame and support, a

for treating the upper wall of the top,-a

.rotatable brush device carried by said frame.

for treating the side wall of the top, and means carried by said framefor simultane ously rotating said brush devices upon said top surfaces.

10. In apparatus for treating vehicle tops having upper and side walls,a frame, a support for said frame, a swivel connection between saidframe and support, an element carried by said frame for treating theupper wall of the top,'an element carried by said frame for treating theside wall of the top, a swivel connection between said side treatingelement and frame permitting adjustment of such element toward and fromthe top side Wall, and means carried by said frame for impartingmovement to said elements upon said top surfaces.

11. In apparatus for treating vehicle tops, a frame, a horizontal brushrotatably carrled by said frame, other brushes inclined to saidhorizontal brush and rotatably supported upon said frame,,means carriedby sa1d frame for rotating said brushes, a support for sald frame, andmeans for adjusting said frame vertically relative to the vehicle frame,and a pivotal connection betweensaid ported upon said frame, meanscarried by said frame for rotating said brushes, a support for saidframe, and a pivotal and slidable connection between saidsupport andframe permitting lateral and vertical adjust ment of said frame.

14. In apparatus for treating vehicle tops, a frame, a horizontal brushrotatably carried by said frame, other brushes rotatably supported uponsaid'frame, means carried by said frame for rotating said brushes, asupport for said frame, means for adjusting all said brushes vertically,and means for adjusting said other brushes toward and from each other.

15. An apparatus of the character described which comprises ahorizontally-disposed brush, another brush disposed angularly to saidfirst brush, means including a support member for simultaneously movingboth said brushes toward and from the vehicle, and means includinganother support member and a swing connection between said other supportmem er and said first support member for independently adjusting saidother brush toward and from the vehicle body.

16. Apparatus for treating vehicle tops comprising a frame including ahollow shaft, a support including a shaft, the shaft being freelyreceived within said frame shaft for swinging and lateral slidingmovements of said frame, brushes carried by said frame for engagementwith said top, and means carried by said frame for moving said brusheswhile engaged with the top.

17. Apparatus for treating vehicle tops comprising a frame including ahollow shaft, a support including a shaft, the shaft being freelyreceived within said frame shaft for swinging and lateral slidingmovements of said frame, brushes carried by said frame for engagementwith said top, means for adjusting some of said brushes to accommodatevehicle topsof varying widths, and means carried by said frame formoving said brushes while engaged with the top and in all adjustedpositions of said brushes.

. 18. Apparatus for treating vehicle roofs having a top wall and sidewalls which comprises a frame, a brush device having a shaft rotatablycarried by said frame and adapted to engage one of said walls of thetop, op posed brush devices each having a shaft rotatably supported bysaid frame adapted to engage other of said walls of the top, bearings,swmgingly mounted on said frame for receiving one end of said lattershafts, bearmerges? ings at the other ends of said latter shafts, and aguideway for slidably and freely receiving said latter-named bearings topermit the brushes carried by said latter shafts to adjustably move uponsaid swing hearings to adjust the side brushes to different width roofs.

19. Apparatus for treating vehicle roofs having a top wall and sidewalls which comprises a frame, a brush device having a shaft rotatablycarried by said frame adapted to engage one of said walls, opposed brushdevices each having a shaft rotatably supported by said frame adapted toengage other of said walls, bearings swingingly mounted on said framefor receiving one end of said latter shafts, bearings at the other endsof said latter shafts, and a guideway for slidably and freely receivingsaid latter-named bearings to permit the brushes carried by said lattershafts to adjustably move upon said swing bearings to adjust saidopposed brushes to different width roofs, a driven element mounted uponeach of said shafts, power means, and a driving connection between saidpower means and driven elements for moving saidbrushes.

20. Apparatus for treating vehicle roofs having a top wall and sidewalls comprising a frame, a horizontal brush device for engagin one ofsaid walls adapted and having a sha rotatably supported by said frame,other brush devices adapted to enga e other of said walls and eachhaving a sha t rotatably associated with said frame, a swing bearing forsupporting one end of each of said lattermentioned brush shafts, andaslidably ad- I justable bearing -for receiving the other end of eachsaid latter-mentioned shafts, a guide frame carried b said first-namedframe and having oppose arcuate 'slots therein, said slidable bearingshaving a part engaging said slots for adjustment of saidlatter-mentioned brushes toward and from each other, driven elementsassociated with said shafts, a driver carried by said frame, andconnections between said driver and driven elements for rotating saidbrush devices.

21. Apparatus for treating vehicle roofs comprising a frame, asupportfor said frame, a swing and lateral slide connection between saidsupport and, frame for adjusting the frame vertically and laterally tothe'roof, a horizontal brush device having a shaft-rotatably supportedby said frame, other and tiltably mounted brush devices each having ashaft rotatably associated with said frame, a swing bearing forsupporting one end of each said other brush shafts, and slidablyadjustable bearings for receiving the other ends of each said other shafs, a guide frame carried by said first-named frame and having opposedarcuate slots therein, said slidable bearings having a part engagingsaid slots for ad ustment of said other brushes vertically and towardand from each other, driven elements associated with said shafts, adriver carried by said frame, and connections between said driver anddriven elements for rotating said brush devices.

22. Apparatus for treating vehicle roofs having a top wall and sidewalls comprising a frame, a horizontal brush device adapted to engagethe top wall of the roof and having a shaft rotatably supported by saidframe, other brush devices adapted to engage the side walls of the roofeach having a shaft rotatably associated with said frame, a swingbearing for supporting one end of each said side brush shafts, and aslidably adjustable bearing for receiving the other end of each saidside-brush shafts, a guide frame carried by said first-named frame andhaving opposed arcuate slots therein, said slidable bearings having apart engaging said slots for adjustment of said side brushes toward andfrom each other, driven elements associated with said shafts, a drivercarried by said frame, connections between said driver and drivenelements for rotating said brush de-. vices, and means associated withsaid slidable bearings for partially supporting said side brush devicesand for permitting self-adjustment of the same.

23. Apparatus for treating vehicle roofs having a top wall and sidewalls comprisinga frame, a'horizontal brush device adapted .to engagethe top wall of the roof andhaving a shaft rotatably supported by saidframe, other brush devices adapted to engage the side walls of the roofeach having ashaft rotatably associated with said frame, a swing bearingfor supporting one end of each said side brush shafts, and a slidablyadjustable bearing for receiving the other end of each said side brushshafts, a guide frame carried said first-named frame and havin opposedarcu ate'slots therein, said slidable adJuStment of said side brushestoward and from each'other, driven elements associated with said shafts,a driver carried by said frame, connections between said driver anddriven elements for rotating said brush devices, means associated withsaid slidable bearings for partially supporting said side brush devicesand for permitting self-adjustment of the same, said means comprisin anauxiliary frame, roller supports carried by said auxiliary frame, acounterbalance weight, and a flexible element connected to said weightand to both said side brush device slidable bearings and which engagessaid roller supports.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

BEE K. GILLESPIE.

an 'in s having a part engaging said slots for

